Canberra will allocate another 55 million Australian dollars ($39 million) to introduce additional security measures at places of worship and religious educational institutions after last week's deadly shooting at mosques in New Zealand, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 18th March, 2019) Canberra will allocate another 55 million Australian Dollars ($39 million) to introduce additional security measures at places of worship and religious educational institutions after last week's deadly shooting at mosques in New Zealand, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday.
"Today we've announced we're extending the Safer Communities Fund following the terrible terrorist attack in New Zealand. We'll deliver $55 million for grants that will prioritise safety enhancements at religious schools and places of worship, such as CCTV [closed-circuit television] cameras, lighting, fencing, bollards, alarms, and security systems," the prime minister tweeted.
Morrison stressed that he was not fond of having such extensive security measures in places of worship, however, it was necessary to ensure citizens' safety.
"I so wish we didn't need this on places of worship in Australia. It grieves me this is necessary but sadly it is and as a Government we will be providing additional resources. Australians should have the right to practice their faith in safety," Morrison said.
On March 15, massacre at two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch have shocked the nation, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern calling it a terrorist attack and one of the "darkest" days for the country. According to the latest information, 50 people were killed in the shootings and dozens more were injured.
Immediately after the attack, four people have been apprehended, although one of them was later found to have nothing to do with the incident. A 28-year-old Australian national has already been charged with murder and placed under arrest until April 5.
